The Investigation of Physical Performance Status of Visually and Hearing Impaired Applying Judo Training Program

Abstract

It was aimed to investigate the physical performances of visually and hearing impaired doing judo training in this study. 32 male athletes, who were doing judo training, volunteer and, visually and hearing impaired, participated in this study. The investigation was applied to visually impaired (N=12, mean ± SD; age: 25.75 ± 3.55 years, height: 169.50 ± 9.41 cm, weight: 74.17 ± 20.17 kg, sport age: 6.42 ± 1.62) and hearing impaired (N=20, mean ± SD; age: 19.25 ± 5.70 years, height: 172.55 ± 7.58 cm, weight: 70.55 ± 11.12 kg, sport age: 5.85 ± 1.60) male judoka.

Flamingo balance test score averages for study groups were detected as 8.00 ± 3.27 min/pc in visually impaired male judoka and 13.50 ± 3.08 min/pc in hearing impaired male judoka. There was a significant association between two groups in favor of visually impaired judoka (p<0.05). As a result of the evaluation conducted, push-up performances in 30 s were measured as 35.92 ± 7.19 min/pc for visually impaired judoka and 29.55 ± 7.74 min/pc for hearing impaired judoka. Flexibility values were found -3.17 ± 8.81cm for visually impaired judoka and 2.50 ± 3.37 cm for hearing impaired judoka. According to 30 s push-up and flexibility value averages, there was a significant association in hearing impaired male judoka (p<0.05).

Also, as a result of performed test value averages, there was no significant relationship in leg strength, vertical jump, right and left hand grip strength, 30 s sit-up and body fat percentage values (p>0.05).

In conclusion, it is thought that there is no negative effect of vision and hearing impairment factors on physical performance levels due to the close proximity of training levels of the elite judoka and also there is more development in balance variables in visually impaired when compared to hearing impaired due to the properties of impairment degree.